Welcome to the most fragrant and romantic stop on our miniature journey! The “Sweet Pea” Trellis Cottage is a celebration of the delicate, ruffled blooms that signify blissful pleasure and goodbyes. This caravan is designed in a soft, dreamy palette of Pastel Purple (Lilac) and crisp White, evoking the feeling of an English cottage garden in late spring. The exterior is unique, featuring a custom-built wooden trellis on the side wall, allowing nature to embrace the structure.

The interior is a florist’s sanctuary. The walls are alive with climbing Sweet Pea vines, showing off their wavy petals in shades of pink, purple, and white, accented by those signature spiral green tendrils. The workspace is cluttered with the tools of the trade: sharp flower shears, tiny glass vases holding single specimen stems, spools of silk ribbon, and round seed packets ready for next season. Outside, a fluffy calico guinea pig sniffs the air, exploring a freestanding garden arch that mirrors the floral abundance inside. This project is intricate, requiring patience for the many blooms, but the result is a breathtaking display of floral artistry.

To support the weight of the exterior trellis and the dense interior vines, we will strictly use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This technique creates the rigid, architectural walls necessary for this playset. We will alternate between a standard hook for the caravan shell and a precision micro-hook for the delicate sweet pea petals and the guinea pig.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Materials & Tools

• Yarn: Sport or DK weight cotton yarn (Mercerized cotton is best for the flower definition).

  – Lilac / Pastel Purple: Lower exterior walls, interior floor rug.

  – Clean White: Upper exterior walls, interior walls, umbrella.

  – Wood Brown / Beige: Trellis strips, floor, flower beds, arch frame.

  – Sweet Pea Colors: Various shades of Pink, Purple, White, and Magenta.

  – Leaf Green: Vines, leaves, tendrils.

  – Guinea Pig Colors: Caramel, White, Black/Dark Brown.

  – Silver/Grey: Shears blades.

  – Red/Blue: Shears handles, ribbon.

• Hooks:

  – 2.5mm (Size C/2): For the caravan shell, floor, and arch structure.

  – 1.0mm – 1.25mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the sweet pea flowers, tendrils, shears, and the guinea pig.

• Structure: 7-8 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, thin green floral wire (essential for the arch and posing the vines), fabric glue, tapestry needle, pet brush (to fluff the guinea pig).

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR: Magic Ring
• Ch: Chain
• Sc: Single Crochet
• Hdc: Half Double Crochet
• Dc: Double Crochet
• Tr: Treble Crochet
• Inc: Increase (2 sc in one st)
• Dec: Decrease (invisible decrease)
• BLO: Back Loop Only
• Sl st: Slip Stitch
• Picot: Ch 3, sl st in first ch.

Part 1: The Cottage Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. The Garden Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Wood Brown (for a deck look) or Lilac (for a carpet look).

1. Row 1: Ch 26. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (25)
2. Row 2-40: Sc across. (Rectangle approx 4″ x 6.5″).
3. Fasten off Panel 1. Keep yarn attached to Panel 2.

Assembly: Cut plastic canvas to the exact size. Sandwich it between the two panels. Sc around the perimeter through both layers to seal.

2. The Lilac & White Shell (U-Shaped)

This forms the Left Wall, Roof, and Right Wall.

Panel A: Exterior (Lilac & White)

• Start with Lilac/Pastel Purple.
• Row 1: Ch 91 (Length to cover Left Wall + Roof + Right Wall). Sc across. (90)
• Row 2-12: Sc across (Lilac Bottom Section).
• Change to White.
• Row 13-35: Sc across (White Top Section).
• Window Cutouts: On the side wall sections, create rectangular window openings (Ch 10, Sk 10).
• Fasten off.

Panel B: Interior (White)

• Use White yarn for the entire piece to create a bright canvas for the colorful vines. Match dimensions and window gaps of Panel A.

Assembly:

• Cut plastic canvas strip (with window holes).
• Sandwich canvas between Panel A and Panel B.
• Join: Sc around the perimeter through both layers. Use Lilac for the bottom edge and White for the rest.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.
• Back Wall: Make a solid sandwich panel (Lilac bottom, White top) to close the back.

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3. The Wooden Trellis (Exterior Detail)

Use Beige/Light Brown yarn.

• Vertical Strips: Ch 25. Sc back. Make 4 strips.
• Horizontal Strips: Ch 15. Sc back. Make 5 strips.
• Assembly: Glue these strips onto the exterior Left Wall of the caravan in a grid pattern. Place vines climbing up them later.

Part 2: The Sweet Peas (Maximalism)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.0mm – 1.25mm Hook. Sweet peas have a distinct butterfly shape.

1. The Sweet Pea Flower

Make 40+ blooms in mixed Pastels (Pink, Purple, White, Magenta).

• The Back Petal (Banner): MR. (Ch 3, 4 Dc, Ch 3, Sl st) into ring.
• The Front Petals (Wings): Do not fasten off. (Ch 2, 2 Hdc, Ch 2, Sl st) into same ring. Repeat once more for the second wing.
• Assembly: Tighten the ring. The large petal stands up, the two small ones fold forward.

2. Spiral Tendrils & Vines

• Vines: Green. Ch 50 (or desired length). Sc randomly along the chain to thicken it.
• Leaves: *Ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch, hdc, dc, hdc* attach to vine.
• Tendrils (The Springs): Green. Ch 10. 3 Sc in each ch back down the chain. This causes the chain to curl tightly into a spring coil. Make 15-20.
• Assembly: Sew flowers, leaves, and tendrils onto the long vines. Glue these vines covering the interior walls and climbing the exterior trellis.

Part 3: Florist Interior Details

Use Hook Size: 1.0mm – 1.25mm.

1. Flower Shears

• Blades: Silver/Grey. Ch 5. Sl st back. Make 2.
• Handles: Red. Ch 4 loops attached to the bottom of the blades.
• Pivot: Sew blades together in an X shape.

2. Glass Vases

• Vase: White (to mimic milk glass) or Light Blue.

  MR 5 sc. BLO Sc up for 6 rounds (cylinder). Ch 1, turn, Sc around for rim.

• Content: Insert a single Sweet Pea stem into each vase. Place on shelves.

3. Silk Ribbon Spools

• Core: White. Ch 4, roll into a tight cylinder.
• Ribbon: Pink or Purple. Surface slip stitch around the center of the cylinder to look like wound ribbon. Leave a loose tail hanging.

4. Round Seed Packets

• Packet: Beige. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Flat circle.
• Label: Embroider a tiny pink flower in the center.

Part 4: Exterior & The Guinea Pig

1. The Fluffy Guinea Pig

Use 1.25mm Hook. Colors: Calico (Patches of White, Brown, Black).

• Body: Start with Brown. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18. Sc 8 rounds (Loaf shape). Dec to close.

  Color Change: Change colors randomly during the body rounds to create patches.

• Ears: Pink/Beige. Ch 2, 3 hdc in 1st ch. Sew to sides of head. Fold down slightly.
• Feet: Pink. Ch 2, bobble stitch. Sew 4 tiny feet underneath.
• Texture: Use a pet brush or velcro to gently brush the yarn body. This creates the “fluffy” fur texture typical of guinea pigs.
• Action: Place the guinea pig near the base of the trellis, sniffing a flower.

2. The Sweet Pea Arch

Use 2.5mm Hook and Wire.

• Frame: Cut a long piece of strong wire. Bend into an Arch shape.
• Covering: Green yarn. Sc tightly around the wire to cover it completely.
• Decoration: Glue Sweet Pea flowers and Spiral Tendrils all over the arch.
• Placement: Stand the arch in front of the caravan door.

3. Folded Umbrella

• Canopy: Pink. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 10 rounds. Dec to 6. (Cone shape).
• Handle: Silver wire wrapped in yarn. Hook at the bottom. Insert into the cone.
• Fastener: Wrap a small piece of yarn around the middle to look like it is buttoned shut. Lean against the caravan.

4. Wheels

Use 2.5mm Hook.

• Tire: Black. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18. Sc 2 rounds.
• Hubcap: Silver mesh. MR 6 sc.
• Sew to sides.

Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: Ensure the U-shell is rigid. The Trellis adds weight to one side, so double-check the balance.
2. Interior Landscaping:
   • Install shelves (Sandwich panels) on the back wall.
   • Place Vases, Ribbons, and Shears on the shelves.
   • Scatter Seed Packets on the floor.
   • Ensure the interior walls are lush with vines.
3. Exterior Styling:
   • Secure the Trellis to the side wall and twine vines through it.
   • Stand the Floral Arch near the entrance.
   • Position the Guinea Pig and the Umbrella.
   • Glue a few fallen petals on the ground for realism.

Congratulations! You have grown “The Sweet Pea” Trellis Cottage. This caravan captures the scent and beauty of a summer garden, frozen in time.